Picture this: you’re riding through the wilds of Red Dead Redemption 2, gang members at your side, but can you truly take them along on your adventures-and how?
This does not mean, that the available missions in the game have to be completed on your own. Other gang members take part in many tasks and depending on the mission you can cooperate with them in different ways, e.g. to silently eliminate opponents in joint attacks or to rely on them during larger shootouts.
Best chapter to recruit all gang members as companions
Chapter 2 offers the best opportunity to recruit the most gang members as free-roam companions via the glitch method. This is due to the full camp population at Horseshoe Overlook, before key members like Sean are temporarily absent or missions scatter the group.
Why Chapter 2
Early in Chapter 2, all core members-including Dutch, John, Bill, Micah, Hosea, and others-are present and available to spawn as followers. Players report higher success rates here compared to later chapters, where absences occur (e.g., John missing post-“Americans at Rest,” or camp shifts in Chapter 4).
Optimal Timing
Perform the glitch right after major early missions like “Money Lending and Other Sins” but before “Pouring Forth Oil,” ensuring maximum attendance-even Micah can join. Avoid Chapter 3’s mid-progress dips or Epilogue limitations.
Tips for Success
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Use Horseshoe Overlook’s nearby enemies for luring.
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Expect 1-8+ members (Dutch, Bill, John common); repeat attempts boost odds to ~70%.
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No chapter allows truly “all” 20+ members reliably due to game mechanics.
Best chapter to recruit all gang members as companions
Chapter 2 provides the best chance to recruit the maximum number of gang members as free-roam companions using the glitch method. This chapter features the full core gang at Horseshoe Overlook camp before mission-related absences reduce availability in later chapters.
Why Chapter 2 Excels
The camp population peaks early in Chapter 2 with all key members like Dutch, Hosea, John, Bill, Micah, and others present simultaneously. Players note higher spawn rates here (up to 8+ companions) compared to Chapter 3, where Sean is absent pre-rescue and John leaves temporarily.
Precise Timing
Trigger the glitch right after “Money Lending and Other Sins I-III” and Sean’s rescue, but before “Pouring Forth Oil-IV” or camp relocation. This window maximizes attendance-even Micah joins reliably.
Maximizing All Members
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Lure enemies to camp outskirts for the alert, then self-destruct with dynamite.
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Repeat for multiple spawns; odds improve to 70% with practice.
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True “all” (20+) is impossible due to game limits, but Chapter 2 gets closest.
